Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Daher Tbm 960
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and the Daher TBM 960 are both pressurized turboprops, but they serve different mission profiles. The King Air 260 is a light twin‑engine business turboprop designed for multi‑passenger, multi‑mission utility, offering the redundancy of two engines and strong short‑field and regional versatility. The TBM 960 is a high‑performance single‑engine personal/business turboprop optimized for speed and efficient point‑to‑point travel with a pilot and a small group. On range, the TBM 960 is generally positioned as the longer‑leg aircraft, with typical published maximum range figures around the 1,700‑nautical‑mile class (depending on reserves, power settings, and loading), whereas the King Air 260 is commonly cited around the 1,400‑nautical‑mile class under similar caveats. In passenger capacity, the King Air 260 typically accommodates more people, commonly seating up to about nine including the pilot, while the TBM 960 is usually arranged for about six occupants including the pilot, emphasizing comfort and performance over maximum seats.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Daher TBM 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 2.25 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Daher TBM |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | TBM 960 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1730 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.56 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | — |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 2908 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 744 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 330 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $4,450,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Turbo Prop |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | — |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.2 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 14390 |
| Galley Location | — | MID |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | TBM 960 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3500 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 850 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 49 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 35.3 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 42.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 13.4 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 123 |